Where to take elderly parents and grandparents
Keeping the days interesting for your grandparents
There are many elderly-friendly places that your loved ones can enjoy with you.
While elderly people may encounter difficulties such as mobility and cognitive decline, getting out and about is key to their overall health. AgeUK describes loneliness and social isolation as increasing health risks in older people. Various life events such as retirement and bereavement can reduce social networks and make it harder for them to stay socially active. Therefore, being involved in your elderly relatives’ social activity is beneficial to all. If you’re interested in learning more about loneliness in older people, take a look at this NHS article.
Visiting local parks and lakes
Lake District
The Lake District is by far one of the more beautiful and scenic areas of the UK, with some picturesque towns. Towns such as Keswick, Windermere and Ambleside are well acquitted for elderly visitors and have accessible paths and wheelchair-friendly areas. Some walks, such as Tarn Hows, have easier, flatter walks and transportation in the District area includes buses and boats. With stunning scenery and plenty to do, the Lake District is the perfect choice for your elderly relatives.
Peak District
The Peak District is another beauty spot in central England with accessible trails and relaxing nature. Some areas such as the Monsal Trail and Derwent Valley are more flat walking routes which are ideal for those with limited mobility. Some notable scenic routes include Snake Pass and Winnats Pass, which can be enjoyed within the comforts of a car. Notable attractions include Chatsworth House, Buxton Pavilion Gardens and Bakewell which have accessible paths, lifts and benches.
The Cotswolds
The Cotswolds is located in the South-West of England and is noted for its beautiful landscapes. Some picturesque towns include Bourton-on-the-Water, Stow-on-the-Wold and Broadway and all have quaint and bustling English streets. The transportation and accommodation here cater to wheelchair users and elderly people, with regular buses, trains and ground-floor rooms. Popular sites such as Sudeley Castle, Blenheim Palace and Westonbirt Arboretum are easily accessible too.
Yorkshire Dales
Within the north of England lies the beautiful Yorkshire Dales which is a wonderful spot to take your elderly relatives. With notable places like Grassington, Hawes and Skipton, the area is full of Yorkshire charm and is easy to access with flat streets, resting spots and accessible accommodation. While much of the Dales is rugged, some walking paths will be appropriate for an elderly person such as Malham Tarn and Aysgarth Falls. Attractions like Bolton Abbey are easy to navigate.
Dartmoor
On the other side of the country in the South, Dartmoor is another beautiful hotspot for elderly people to enjoy. Stunning landscapes are available to view from the car and on certain walking trails. Flat and easy routes include the Princetown Railway Walk and Fernworthy Reservoir and are perfect for those with low mobility. Attractions include Buckfast Abbey and Castle Drogo, with some beautiful villages like Ashburton and Chagford the perfect place for easy navigation.
The South Downs
The South Downs are in south-eastern England and are another notable haven of natural beauty. Accessible trails that are ideal for the elderly include the South Downs National Trail and the Centurian Way, which are perfect for light, gentle strolls. Some breathtaking views include Devil’s Dyke and Birling Gap which even include lifts for wheelchair users. There are many elderly-friendly places to visit such as the Downland Living Museum and Petworth House, so it’s a perfect choice!
The importance of spending time with the family
Spending time with your family leads to happiness, better health and a longer life.
We all love being around those we love most – family. Not only is it a well-established support system, but spending time around relatives can even lengthen your life because of the decreased stress and anxiety and improvement in mental health. Loneliness can be a big challenge in the life of an elderly person, so spending as much time as possible around family can increase their socialisation skills and stimulate brain cognitive function. Take a look at our page on how important social interaction is within elderly care for more information.
Activity centres
Take a look below at some activity centres that are perfect for your elderly relatives. A Helping Hands carer will be more than happy to accompany you for extra support and companionship.
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The Salvation Army
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The Salvation Army says that it’s important to continue to develop spiritually, socially, culturally and emotionally. They host activities that include walking clubs, lunch clubs, events that include different generations, health and wellbeing programmes, singing groups and awareness courses to help with dementia. They also host get-togethers which aim to reduce loneliness in elderly people.
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AgeUK
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Age UK has a variety of centres for elderly people that offer practical assistance and a chance to socialise with others of the same age. The centres include trained staff and volunteers and they offer many activities like singing, music, quizzes, exercise, arts and crafts and even day trips. Hot lunches are served throughout the day, alongside hairdressing and bathing assistance.
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Alzheimer's Society
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The Alzheimer’s Society also runs its own events which include arts and crafts, yoga and walking. For people with dementia, these day centres focus on cognitive development and often include games like dominoes and jigsaws. Activity centres can improve your confidence and help you to feel motivated, create great opportunities for socialisation and provide health-related advice.
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MHA
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MHA is a care home company that also takes pride in its community events. Whether you like crafts, games, quizzes, or even cheerleading, you will find something to enjoy. With various locations, each centre has its own schedule of events and they are all cost-effective and accessible for elderly people.
Family meals in local pubs and restaurants
We all love a tipple and a meal at our local pub, so bring your elderly relative along too!
Special rates
A lot of pubs and restaurants in the UK offer special rates for pensioners and elderly people. Often they offer reduced prices by reducing the portion sizes for the person which may align to their new appetite as they’ve grown older.
Accessible
Many restaurants are wheelchair accessible, with ramps and other accommodations. You can always call up the restaurant before visiting to make sure that your elderly relative has enough space for their wheelchair.
Dietary requirements
Make sure the restaurant or pub is aware of any dietary requirements or allergies. They can also accommodate reduced portions or certain types of foods which may be easier to digest for the elderly, or cutlery-free options.
Dementia-friendly
If your loved one is living with dementia, some pubs may have quieter areas to sit in. Or you can visit at a time when the restaurant is less busy to avoid excess noise which can be overstimulating for someone with dementia.
Remember the limits of the elderly
While it’s great to spend time with your elderly loved ones and get out and about, it’s important to recognise the limitations that they may have in daily life. A few common examples of these include:
Reduced mobility
Poor cognitive ability
Dementia or Alzheimer's
Poor visibility or hearing
Trouble communicating
Low energy and frailty
Joint problems such as athritis
Incontinence
Support your loved ones with Helping Hands
At Helping Hands, we pride ourselves on our ability to be adaptable to your needs. We can offer care as a live-in, visiting or respite basis.
Visiting care begins from just 30 minutes a week and our carers can come to your home at various points of the day.
Prices from £31.00
Variable prices
Call-out fee of £4.50 per visit
Live-in care offers around-the-clock support for all your needs, including elderly care.
Starting from £1,650 per week for a single person
£1,650 per week for a couple
A fully managed service
Fully regulated by the CQC / CIW
Being regulated means:
Our carers are expertly trained and qualified in providing elderly care with a wealth of experience. We’re also regulated by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and Care Inspectorate Wales (CIW), so we’re always on top of our game.
Guaranteed high-quality care
Peace of mind
Independent inspections
Regular development
A safe service
Regular communication